It is one of eight Sutter Imaging sites in the greater Sacramento/Solano region that have set aside one Saturday this month to perform the free digital screening mammograms for uninsured and underinsured women who otherwise may not have access to these potentially life-saving screenings.

“Early detection can lead to a longer, healthier life,” said David Totah, Outpatient Diagnostic Imaging Services manager for Sutter Medical Foundation in Solano County. “Unfortunately, some women view mammograms as ‘optional,’ especially those without insurance or who have high copayments. We want to help create better access for them and put them on a path toward wellness.”

JACKSON, Calif. – Sutter Medical Foundation Amador Pediatrics Office, in partnership with First 5 Amador and Amador County Public Health, was recognized with the 2016 California State Association of Counties Challenge Award.

Challenge Awards recognize the innovation and best practices in county government as they find effective, cost-saving ways to provide program and services to their citizens.

The program, Improving Oral Health for Amador’s Children, provided funding for approximately 10 years for oral health education, screenings and fluoride varnish treatment for children in preschools, playgroups and childcare centers. In an effort to reach more children, free screenings and fluoride varnish treatments were provided by volunteer dental hygienists to approximately 100 children at annual children’s fairs as well as in a medical setting such as the Amador Pediatrics office, which launched a pilot in December 2014. Read More about SMF Amador Pediatrics Office Recognized with CSAC Challenge Award

JACKSON, Calif. – Discovering a hidden tumor in dense breast tissue can be like trying to find a speck of gold buried in the river. But, thanks to community philanthropy efforts, Gold Country women now have access to the latest 3D mammography technology that is capable of discovering previously hidden tumors and decreasing the chances of what are termed “false positives.”

The new, top-of-the-line Hologic Tomosynthesis 3D Mammography unit debuted this week at Sutter Amador Hospital, with about 100 patients getting their annual mammograms with images that are much clearer and more comprehensive. It is the first 3D mammography unit in the greater area, giving Sutter Amador mammography technology that’s on par with major hospitals and radiological centers in the nation.

“This new 3D mammography unit is a super-high-tech machine that provides a much more detailed scan, particularly in dense breast tissue,” said Sutter Amador Radiologist Phil Granchi, M.D. “Like a spy satellite that can find something hiding in the jungle, this new technology creates high-definition images in different positions to discover hidden breast cancer.” Read More about New 3D Mammography a Clear Choice for Finding, ID’ing Tumors

Sutter Walk-In Care, a service of Sutter Medical Foundation, offers quick, convenient healthcare for everyday illnesses and health needs in a standalone storefront that is easily accessible for local communities. The first location opens at 8 a.m. April 4 in Roseville. Two additional Sutter Walk-In Care locations will open in Elk Grove and El Dorado Hills in late April and mid May, respectively.

“Consumers are actively seeking convenient and affordable solutions for their immediate healthcare needs,” said Don Wreden, M.D., Sutter Health senior vice president, Patient Experience. “As a leading provider in Northern California, Sutter recognizes that patients need high-quality care beyond the standard work week, and that is exactly what Walk-In Care provides these communities.”

Patients can call ahead or visit our website to save their spot, or simply just walk in to the location.

Sutter Walk-In Care locations offer a lobby with modern yet comfy furnishings and fixtures, outlets to charge your computer or phone, as well as a complimentary coffee and tea/fruit-infused water bar.

Sutter Walk-In Care is available to all residents 18 months and older—patients do not need to be an existing Sutter Medical Foundation patient.

While Sutter Walk-In Care accepts most major insurance plans, patients can also pay with a credit card (health insurance is not required)

“Walk-In Care offers easy access to treatment for things like the flu or an ear infection, and wellness services like sports physicals,” said Kismet Roberts, M.D, medical director, Sutter Walk-In Care. “This service is an extension of our high-quality services and maintains that level of personalized care our patients deserve.”

While Sutter Walk-In Care provides a wide variety of healthcare services, patients with serious problems or illnesses that require more immediate attention, such as severe cuts, broken bones or shortness of breath, may visit one of Sutter Medical Foundation’s six urgent care clinics throughout the greater Sacramento area, or their nearest hospital emergency department.

SACRAMENTO – In a Sutter Institute of Medical Research study published this month in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, the blood product intravenous immunoglobulin, or IVIG, was found to reduce brain atrophy and cognitive decline in patients in the early, pre-dementia phase of Alzheimer’s disease.

Shawn Kile, M.D., is co-medical director of the groundbreaking Sutter Memory Clinic and was the principal investigator of the IVIG study.

IVIG, extracted from the plasma of more than 1,000 blood donors, contains antibodies to amyloid, an abnormal brain protein found in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Sutter Institute of Medical Research, in partnership with Sutter Neuroscience Institute and Sutter Neuroradiology, designed the study to investigate if a course of IVIG could have practical, disease-modifying effects on Alzheimer’s disease when administered during the pre-dementia phase. The study showed promising results during the first year after treatment in the form of reduced brain atrophy as well as reduced conversions to Alzheimer’s disease dementia at one year, compared with a placebo group.

“This research shows some evidence that IVIG could prevent brain atrophy and delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease in patients who are in the beginning stages,” said Shawn Kile, M.D., Sutter Neuroscience Institute neurologist, co-medical director of the groundbreaking Sutter Memory Clinic and principal investigator of the IVIG study. “My hope is that our study will lead to additional investigations of this treatment strategy so we can eventually conquer this devastating disease.” Read More about Sutter Memory Clinic Study Shows IVIG Could Be Key to Alzheimer’s Cure

SACRAMENTO – Sutter Medical Foundation care centers in the greater Sacramento area and Solano County are offering flu shots at each of their offices.

Patients are encouraged to call ahead to make an appointment or make an appointment via My Health Online.

“In order to ensure each patient’s chart is updated, we like for everyone to schedule an appointment to receive their flu shot,” said Leslie Pratt, R.N., director of clinical care, Sutter Medical Foundation. “An appointment also allows our clinicians to interact with our patients and ensure that they don’t have any symptoms of illness prior to receiving the vaccine.”

When calling to make an appointment, please clarify that you are scheduling an appointment to receive the flu vaccine.

Appointments can be made with Sutter Medical Foundation offices by calling 800-478-8837 in Amador, Placer, Sacramento, Solano and Yolo counties or 877-766-3363 in Sutter and Yuba counties.